Local students to compete in math meet

Hundreds of high school students will gather at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a competition Tuesday, but they won’t kick balls or swing bats.

By Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Posted Oct. 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 19, 2013 at 7:04 PM

By Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Posted Oct. 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 19, 2013 at 7:04 PM

WORCESTER

» Social News

Hundreds of high school students will gather at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a competition Tuesday, but they won’t kick balls or swing bats.

Instead, the students will put their geometry, algebra and other math skills to the test in the university’s 26th annual Invitational Mathematics Meet.

Math competitions teach "the whole idea of persistence in trying to solve a problem," said Maria De Vuono-Homberg, adviser of Westborough High School’s math team. "(The world) needs more and more, better problem-solvers."

Westborough is among about 90 New England high schools sending teams of four to the competition, which includes two, 45-minute exams. Students complete one test individually and one cooperatively with their teammates. Students will have the opportunity to earn scholarship money to WPI and hear from speakers.

Local schools include Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, Natick High School, St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin and Westborough High School, according to WPI.

John Goulet, a WPI math professor involved in organizing the competition, said it is one of a number of initiatives the school does to reach out to younger students.

"Any mathematics beneath (calculus) is fair game," Goulet said. Students may face problems similar to high school courses or "questions that simply require sheer mathematical muscle to figure out."

Goulet said the questions vary in difficulty and test students’ problem-solving abilities. There is no advanced warning what math skills might be required, he said.

Steve Dockray, Tri-County superintendent, said his school’s team is a perfect extension of the vocational education philosophy.

"It gives them a chance to work together and work out problems," he said, noting Tri-County also hosts a math meet.

Zephyr Lucas, a Marlborough resident and senior on the Advanced Math & Science Academy’s team, said the activity boosts his confidence.

"You have no idea what you’re going to get (for problems)," Lucas said. "There’s a lot of thinking on your feet you have to do in the moment."

Adviser Matthew Vea said the team is in its fifth season, has about 70 members and competes locally and at various colleges. Teammates have fun and socialize, he said.

De Vuono-Homberg said Westborough’s team has been in existence for decades and has about 40 students.

"We don’t have that stigma (of being geeky)," she said. "Every time we have practice we have food and work on problems. We make sure the older kids help the younger kids. …It’s like a party."

Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.